Indonesia's Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin lost his cell phone to a pickpocket during a visit to Makassar on Friday, police said.

The minister arrived at Karebosi field in South Sulawesi to bolster support for Makassar Mayor Ilham Arief Siradjuddin's planned campaign for South Sulawesi governor next year. He handed his Galaxy Note smartphone to his assistant, Wahyu, who put it in his pants pocket.

The two pushed through a crowd of supporters.

But when the assistant reached to find the phone, it was missing.

Makassar Police were notified of the theft and began searching for the black and cream smartphone.